Germany, despite frequent destructive wars, was able to preserve countless cultural and historical monuments, becoming one of the most attractive countries for tourism, as evidenced by the annual statistics of its visits by foreign citizens. In addition to historical attractions, Germany has a modern infrastructure and a diverse nightlife, which also contributes to popularity among tourists.
The country also boasts a favorable climate. But which of the German cities is the most attractive for tourists? Now we find out by announcing a list of the ten most visited German cities.
On our site TheBiggest.ru there is an interesting article from which you can learn about the largest cities in Germany.
1
Berlin
Berlin, in addition to its capital status, proudly bears the title of champion among the most visited cities of the Federal Republic of Germany. For most visitors, it is associated with a rich history and culture, which attracts millions of tourists every year. In Berlin you can find 138 museums and more than 400 art galleries. About 30% of Berlin's area is occupied by gardens, parks and forest plantations. Every year there is an increase in the flow of tourists.
According to data from two years ago, every year in Berlin 31.1 million guests of the capital are staying for the night (data are taken from hotels, hotels, hostels and other similar establishments). Among the most visited places are the Berlin Wall, Potsdamer Platz, French Cathedral, Museum Island, etc. A huge number of foreign citizens are sent to Berlin to participate in cultural and business events of an international scale. According to the corresponding report, in 2015, about 200 international business meetings took place in the German capital.
2
Munich
Munich ranks second in the ranking, although many admit that it is a beautiful German city. Perhaps the loss to Berlin is due to the capital status of the latter. Although the number of tourists, Munich, at least not far behind the capital. It is located in southern Germany and belongs to the Bavarian Federal District.
Munich's historical and cultural heritage is truly impressive. It has many art galleries, architectural monuments and museums. Add picturesque streams flowing through the city and get the perfect place for a vacation or weekend. In addition, in the fall, Munich becomes a place of pilgrimage for lovers of beer and fun. It's all about Oktoberfest, the annual festival held in the capital of Bavaria. The festival lasts two weeks, and during this time millions of tourists manage to visit it. Also in the city is based the country's strongest football club Bayern, to watch the game of which tens of thousands of fans of the team from all over the world annually come.
By the way, München is one of the richest cities in the world!
3
Hamburg
This port city is located in the north of the country, and is the second most populous after Berlin. The third place in the list of the most visited German cities was provided to him by more than 13 million registered overnight stays per year. As in Berlin, the study was conducted 2 years ago. Hamburg is considered a city-state, not belonging to any of the federal states of Germany.
The tourism sector of Hamburg is incredibly developed, as evidenced by at least the number of employees employed in this area - 175 thousand people. Tourism is developing at an incredible pace. There are many museums and theaters in Hamburg, and among the most interesting places it is worth noting the Town Hall, the Kunsthalle, the German National Theater, as well as the churches of St. Michael and St. Nicholas. If you are interested in more piquant sights, then you can visit the red light district, which is much larger than Amsterdam.
4
Frankfurt am Main
As the name implies, this ancient city stands on both banks of the Main River. Most often, the city is simply called Frankfurt. He was one of the founding cities of the Holy Roman Empire, whose greatness lasted for 5 centuries. The city and now is of crucial importance for the country, being the fifth in terms of population and annually hosting millions of tourists.
The great popularity of Frankfurt is ensured not only by cultural and historical monuments, but also by the high development of the transport system. Among the attractions worth mentioning are St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral, the “Old Opera”, St. Paul’s Church, the guardhouse building and other architectural monuments. In addition, the city hosts many festivals annually, which attract at least 3 million tourists. It is worth noting that Frankfurt claims to be the cradle of club music. It was here that in the early 90s the acid house style was born, which eventually conquered England, and then the whole world.
5
Cologne
Cologne, the third largest and fourth largest city in Germany, occupies the fifth place in the attendance rating. It is located in the picturesque land of North Rhine-Westphalia, located on two banks of the Rhine. This city will appeal to lovers of history and architectural monuments, as well as fans of parties. Cologne reliably seized leadership in Germany in the number of pubs per inhabitant.
Of course, the main attraction of the city is Cologne Cathedral, which miraculously managed to survive after the bombing of the Allied forces during the Second World War. Unfortunately, a little less than 90% of all city buildings were destroyed as a result. Nevertheless, many architectural monuments have been preserved in Cologne, including churches and the White House Castle. Having visited the historical center of the city, you will plunge into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages. In addition, the city has many museums, among which the most famous is the Ludwig Museum.
6
Dusseldorf
Like Cologne, Dusseldorf is located on the River Rhine, however, only from its right bank. It has beautiful architecture and a developed transport network, which attracts many tourists. It is located in the Rhine-Ruhr region, and along with the largest German cities it is the largest business and financial center.
The main place of pilgrimage for tourists is the "Old City", which is considered the cultural center of the city. Here you will find not only many monuments, but also no fewer bars where you can taste a huge number of German beers. Also in the city are medieval castles and palaces, several picturesque parks, the Goethe Museum, as well as the oldest cabaret in Germany. In addition, Dusseldorf is known for its theatrical productions taking place in several city theaters.
7
Dresden
This ancient city is the center of Saxony in the eastern part of Germany. Dresden is considered one of the most environmentally friendly and "green" cities in Europe. Located near the border with the Czech Republic, almost two-thirds is covered with forest plantations, parks and gardens. Due to its beauty and many monuments of architecture, the city received the poetic name "Florence on the Elbe".
Dresden has long been the capital of an independent Saxon state, before the unification of all German lands. It is considered one of the centers of culture and art of the Federal Republic of Germany. Among the attractions of the city, I would like to highlight the Dresden Zwinger, the Armory and the huge Grosser Garden park. Also in the city there are many clubs, restaurants and galleries that will appeal to young people.
8
Stuttgart
Stuttgart is located in the southern part of the country, being the center of Baden-Württemberg and the 8th most visited city in Germany. Stuttgart is developed, both culturally and industrially, confirming the title of one of the most significant in Germany. The city rightfully bears the title of the automobile capital of the country, since it houses the Porsche and Mercedes-Benz automobile plants.
Despite the many historical monuments, the museums of these auto giants attract the most attention of tourists. Those wishing to relax can visit one of the many city parks and gardens, and for lovers of spiritual food a huge selection of historical attractions is provided. Among them are Hegel’s House Museum, the Old Castle and the New Palace, as well as the State Theater and St. Eberhard Cathedral.
9
Nuremberg
This city is a historic competitor to Munich, also located in Bavaria. Since ancient times, Nuremberg has been known for its figures in the field of humanism, as well as philosophers and representatives of science. The printing craft was developed in Nyureberg, which largely explains the large number of representatives of the intelligentsia. Most of the knowledge in the field of astronomy we received thanks to the famous inhabitants of Nuremberg.
Also, the city is notorious as a venue for the Nuremberg trials, at which the highest ranks of the Third Reich were condemned. Among the attractions of Nuremberg are Faberpark, Hammelstein Castle, numerous sculptures, the Nuremberg Fortress, Frauenkirche, the German National Museum, as well as a large number of Catholic churches and Protestant churches.
10
Leipzig
Closes the ten most visited places in Germany Leipzig. This city is located in the eastern part of the country, in the lands of Saxony. It is also the tenth most populated German city, being the cultural, economic and scientific center of the region. Leipzig is known for its university, as well as for a large number of fairs, attracting millions of tourists every year.
Having visited Leipzig, you can enjoy the architecture of the Renaissance, among which the Old Town Hall is worthy of special attention. Also here you will find the Gothic Church of St. Thomas and the Old Baroque Exchange. Our tourists will be interested in visiting the Memorial Russian Church, which was built in honor of the Russian soldiers who participated in the battle for Leipzig at the beginning of the 19th century. Coffee lovers can visit the museum, which is also one of the oldest coffee shops in the Old World.